A record number of job seekers has led to a slump in holiday employment across the UK and other countries. Photo credit: Bing HAO, via Unsplash
With Halloween just days away and the Christmas season fast approaching, job search platform Indeed has released statistics on seasonal job searches. Interest in holiday jobs is increasing considerably, but finding them is becoming increasingly difficult. Searches for seasonal jobs are at their highest since Indeed began tracking in 2018.
Seasonal searches soar, but opportunities decline
According to Indeed, general searches for seasonal jobs were up 27 percent at the end of September compared to 2024 and 50 percent above 2023 levels, while the number of jobs increased by just 2.7 percent. Only 2.1% of seasonal job postings mentioned emergency hiring, down from 10% in 2021 amid the post-pandemic job market boom.
UK: Life is slightly better, but still fighting for extra income
In the UK, for example, searches for Christmas-related jobs on Indeed’s UK site on October 3 accounted for 0.8% of all searches, up from 0.62% in 2024 and representing an overall increase of 29%. However, the UK fares better than other countries when it comes to seasonal jobs. As of the same date, 0.58% of all jobs posted on Indeed in the UK were holiday postings, up from 0.5% in 2024. This is a 16% increase over the previous year.
Retail jobs are at the top of the seasonal job list
Retail currently ranks at the top of the market when it comes to seasonal employment, with 63% of seasonal employment falling under the retail trade as of September 30, 2025. (This number is consistent with past years, as retail jobs typically account for two-thirds of seasonal opportunities). These types of jobs can be key for unemployed citizens looking to get back into the job market. However, the fewer requirements a job posting has for applicants, the tougher the competition, and many applicants looking for seasonal jobs don’t fare well at all.
In the UK, the top 10 Christmas jobs also include a significant number of retail jobs, including seasonal employees, sales assistants and retail sales associates.
Other seasonal job openings include positions in sales, hospitality, driving, loading and unloading, and food preparation and service. Availability also depends on whether the job seeker is looking for part-time or full-time employment.
Holiday job market: More competition than last year
Additionally, a very low number of job openings may indicate that the job market is currently in a severe supply-demand imbalance and that the urgency to hire is decreasing. In 2021, it was much harder for companies to attract workers.
“This year-end hiring season is likely to be more competitive for job seekers as the number of job openings decreases and worker interest increases,” said Cory Stahl, senior economist at Indeed, in a post analyzing Indeed’s statistics.
The UK labor market remains depressed, according to Indeed and the Office for National Statistics. According to the latter, the unemployment rate for over-16s in the UK totaled 4.8% in the three months to August 2025. This is up from 4.7% in July 2025.
Job seekers who are ahead of the curve
For many people, the surge in job searches will come as no surprise. The holiday season brings merriment, togetherness, and celebration, but it also brings with it considerable expense. In many places, including the UK, where the cost of living has risen in recent years, many people are scrambling to find a second or third source of income.
Statistics show that job seekers are also applying for positions earlier than last year in an effort to stay ahead of the competition. The number of searches for seasonal jobs increases gradually from August to October, and increases significantly in November. This year, the surge occurred as early as the end of September.
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